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PerceptionAREA
The Project: Clarence Park, near the centre of St Albans is a classic Victorian park with green lawns, mature trees, paths, benches, sports fields and buildings and toilets. Whilst the Park had secured Green Flag status, St Albans District Council was advised by the judges to consider how the Park met the needs of all the Park users, including an established Asian community which did not appear to demonstrate a sense of ownership of the Park. The council commissioned a public consultation to inform the next stage Community Engagement Plan, and
assist planning for the future involvement of diverse user groups. |
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The idea: The Perception AREA creative team determined that a discreet and sensitive approach, primarily observing and fi lming social interaction and behaviour would provide the information required from the consultation. The team commissioned Sanchita Islam, an Asian artist / filmmaker with considerable practical experience of public engagement, to spend time in the Park and the surrounding, predominantly Asian
community.
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The work: Over the summer months, Sanchita visited the different areas of the 19 hectare Park to understand the dynamics of the amenities and
activities. She documented the character of the landscape, the subtleties of the diverse specific user groups and their connections with the Park. With guidance from the team, she initiated conversations
with and filmed different ethnic and age groups to gain evidence of what they perceived to be of value to them in terms of the physical and social elements of the Park and what changes would motivate increased
sense of ownership and involvement. |
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The results: A 20 minute film, edited from many hours of filming is a sensitive, creative presentation of the non-confrontational consultation.
A supporting document highlighted key findings and together with the DVD was used by the council to directly inform immediate action points as well as future opportunities for Community Engagement. These were outlined in the revised Management Plan, which helped the Park to retain its Green Flag status.
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